The two servants were thus relieved to see the earl of March arrive on his chestnut palfrey that tenth day of October and order his brothers to deck themselves out in their finery. No one had noticed that it was almost a year to the day since Richard of York had fled from Ludlow.

“We are going to join our father’s procession into London,” he told the boys. “I am sorry, Meg, but…”

“But what, pray?” Meg countered, irritated. “You will not ride from here without me.”

Edward chuckled. “I pity your poor husband, sister. However, I have not made provision for a horse for you, so I am afraid…”

“I shall ride pillion behind George,” Meg interrupted, “and you can take Dickon up with you. He’s small enough to sit in front, and there’s an end to it,” and she ran off to change into something more festive, leaving Ned with his mouth agape.

It would be a glorious homecoming, Ned told them en route to the Newgate, as Parliament was sitting at Westminster, the king was virtually a prisoner in the royal apartments above, and their father would at last receive the honor and respect due him.

The sun had finally returned for the York siblings as they rode over London Bridge and through the city to be on hand when their father and his retinue of five hundred men entered the gates, and to Dickon seated in front of his magnificent brother, all seemed right with their world.

Chapter 5

Chapter Five

Autumn 1460

Londoners loved a procession. They had heard the duke of York was to enter the city that day and so were gathering to watch along the wide Shambles and under the wall of the Franciscan Friary. It was always wise for a leader to show his face in the capital and pay homage, even though Parliament and the king sat at Westminster a little more than a mile away. The citizens had welcomed the lords of Calais five months before, because they, too, were tired of the bad governance of the king and his council, and hoped perhaps the Yorkists would restore prosperity and peace to what had become a lawless land. The duke of York might yet be their savior, but still they were wary. Thus their cheers were less hearty than they might have been had their world not been turned upside down by these warring cousins.